Jay-Z

Los Angeles, June 4 (IANS) – Rapper Jay-Z is the first hip-hop artist to become a billionaire, according to Forbes.

The Forbes magazine in an article published on Monday, opens by recalling a 2010 meeting between the rapper and billionaire Warren Buffet, from which the octogenarian came away impressed, reports variety.com

“Jay is teaching in a lot bigger classroom than I’ll ever teach in. For a young person growing up, he’s the guy to learn from,” Buffet said.

Less than 10 years later, the magazine has surveyed Jay-Z’s empire – which spans music, a streaming service, liquor, art real estate and stakes in other companies – and determines that it “conservatively totals $1 billion”.

It also notes that he built his own brands: the Rocawear clothing line (sold for $204 million in 2007); D’Usse, a cognac he co-owns with Bacardi; Tidal, the music-streaming service; and his multifaceted Roc Nation music and sports empire.

Disclaimer: Validity of the above story is for 7 Days from original date of publishing. Source: AFP.